Lent Devotion - Borrowing from Jesus

Borrowing from Jesus
By Pam Hardenbrook

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14

When my daughter was a teenager, she would often borrow clothes from me – and sweaters from her dad. She had many nice outfits of her own, but access to her parents’ closets greatly expanded her wardrobe! And we were glad to share – it pleased us that she wanted to wear our things and, in a way, resemble us.

My friend, Karen, has been wearing clothes from her mother’s closet. Just after her mother died, she and her sister sorted through their mother’s clothing and decided to keep some of her things to wear. “Wearing her clothes is comforting,” Karen said, “because the scent of Mama’s perfume lingers in the fabric.”

Scripture admonishes us to be holy – to be like God (Lev. 11:44; 1 Peter 1:15-16). But as I try to resemble my Heavenly Father, I find that my own spiritual wardrobe is sadly lacking. Clothed in my own virtues, my apparel is tattered and soiled. However, Jesus offers me a whole closetful of clean, freshly pressed, holy garments and when I am dressed in his righteousness, I catch a whiff of his gracious aroma. Maybe those around me will sense it, too.
         
I am so glad that Jesus lets me borrow from his closet.
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Lord Jesus, forgive me when I try to be righteous on my own. Teach me to rely on your holiness. Help me to grow to resemble you and to share the aroma of your grace. Amen.